Manchester City, who are battling for the Premier League title, suffered an unexpected setback in Matchweek 19. Pep Guardiola’s side failed to win away at Sunderland and dropped two very valuable points.
In a heated and difficult match, both teams created chances, but lacked clinical finishing. As a result, neither side found the net and the game ended in a 0–0 draw.
This result was not only about dropped points for Manchester City. The match against Sunderland also brought several of the Citizens’ pleasant records and traditions to a halt. In particular, City started the new year without a win for the first time since 2012.
According to statisticians, since 2013 City had always opened each new year by winning their first official match. This time that uninterrupted run ended and the long-standing tradition was broken.
Interestingly, the last time Manchester City failed to win their first match of the new year was back in January 2012. On that occasion, the team that beat City was Sunderland, and the match ended 1–0.
Thus, Sunderland—who have moved between the top and lower divisions across different seasons—are increasingly becoming a uniquely awkward opponent for Manchester City. Once again, they drew attention by seriously disrupting City’s plans at crucial moments.
For Guardiola’s team, this draw was another reminder of how important every point is in the title race. Now City will need to deliver an even stronger performance in the upcoming rounds to make up for the missed opportunity.
Read “Zamin” on Telegram!
Users of Меҳмон are not allowed to comment this publication.
